TheSamba.com :: View topic - Transaxle

Sat Mar 30, 2013 8:03 pm

I am trying to remove the side cover plates on a 67 Bug trans, in order to flip the ring gear for use with RGB's in a split bus.

I am unable to remove the side cover plates. Could someone please tell me what I am doing wrong? All the nuts and washers have been removed but the side plate won't come off.

Thanks.

EDIT: Do you need a special tool to remove the side covers?

Sat Mar 30, 2013 9:57 pm

VW did have a tool for that:

Sat Mar 30, 2013 11:57 pm

Found this tool in the technical section here.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/tools3.php

Sun Mar 31, 2013 7:55 am

This tool is nice to have but not needed, there are two tabs you can tap on to remove the cover, on the clutch side there is one the other is the clutch cable bracket. However I question ones ability to set the lash of the ring and pinion if they cannot figure out how to remove the side covers

Sun Mar 31, 2013 12:08 pm

mcmscott wrote: However I question ones ability to set the lash of the ring and pinion if they cannot figure out how to remove the side covers

Yes, this is the first time I have had to pull the side covers. A friend was able to get the carrier assembly out, with a pry bar. The carrier was moved to the other side and the gears seem to mesh ok.

When doing a search for "ring gear flip", there are mixed opinions about backlash. Some say they have not had any problem, simply flipping the gear assembly.

I am in a situation where the Bus needs to be driven, and there were no good Bus center sections to be found. Is there a way to set the backlash without using the special tool 297?

Mon Apr 01, 2013 7:40 am

Redneck way, install the diff back the way it was with sidecovers tight. Then check how much back lash you have by iether rockind diff for and aft with the pinion still, or hold the diff still and check how much the pinion turns before the diff(you have to remove the nosecone). Then flip the assy. and recheck the same way, If it is looser then more shim on the ring gear side and equal amount removed from the other.
In an older gear box it is also a good idea to flip the carrier bearings due to years of wear on one side only

Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:03 pm

mcmscott wrote: Redneck way, install the diff back the way it was with sidecovers tight. Then check how much back lash you have by iether rockind diff for and aft with the pinion still, or hold the diff still and check how much the pinion turns before the diff(you have to remove the nosecone). Then flip the assy. and recheck the same way, If it is looser then more shim on the ring gear side and equal amount removed from the other.
In an older gear box it is also a good idea to flip the carrier bearings due to years of wear on one side only

Thanks mcmscott. I took your advice and had a local trans specialist swap the shims and bearings to the other side of the carrier. I ran in to a number of problems I couldn't solve myself and money is tight, so I could only afford to have that much done by a pro; or else I would have paid to have it done and measured correctly.

Thanks again for the good advice.

Fri Apr 05, 2013 2:10 pm

just swaping the shims&bearings isant quite what he said.I hope you had lash checked befor and after the flip and adjusted for accordingly.

Fri Apr 05, 2013 9:16 pm

glutamodo wrote: VW did have a tool for that:

Does that bring 42 year old memories....

Sat Apr 06, 2013 12:00 am

Not goin' there